Until the mid-eighteenth century, how a word was spelled was not considered important. Surnames in manuscripts were often spelled in
different ways, even in the same document. With the publication of dictionaries, Nathan Bailey's in 1730 and Samuel Johnson's in 1755, things began to change. Account was then taken of the word's
origin, formation and meaning, which eventually led to a standardization of both spelling and pronunciation. As most records containing a surname were written by a clerk rather than the surname
owner, and the clerk only having the sound of the name to guide him, it could be said that most of us use a name that is derived from the sound rather than the spelling.

We can see with the many dialects and little literacy how various census takers, clerks, record keepers, friends and neighbors could
be creative and misspelled on a regular basis.

Latter-day abstractors making indice for census, tax and other records were no better! They seemed to be as creative as those who
pre-dated them who were barely literate. A watchword here: Just because your ancestor does not show up in a contemporary index of the census or other work does NOT mean he is not there. Always check
the original records yourself.

Take great care to be creative and as broadminded as possible. Insisting upon a name being spelled a certain way is limiting your
search. May we never again hear the statement: "That's not my person, the name is spelled wrong."--Adapted from Family Tree, Odom Library,
Georgia

MINDING YOUR MANNERS IN FAMILY HISTORY:
Rules of the Road for All Genealogists

The practice of genealogy or family history has some time honored unspoken rules of decorum attached to it. If you would like to be
involved with sharing of information on any level, there are a few things you need to know:

Always offer to defray the costs for requested genealogical information, usually postage and copy costs. It is up to the sender to
decline, but it sends a strong and clear message that you are a responsible person well aware of genealogy etiquette. You may not realize it, but some individuals receive dozens of requests. It can
be frightfully expensive and time consuming to cater to all requests. Your good manners may pay huge dividends and may be a refreshing alternative to other thoughtless requests.

Archives and county courthouses have their own rules for requesting information. Better find out what those are before sending any
requests.

When you request information by e-mail don't make the reader read your mind via a few cryptic lines. Tell them WHERE you saw their
lineage listed, WHAT you are looking for, and SHARE some of your own research on this family. Some professional or near-professional genealogists delete most e-mail because of time constraints, so if
you want them to help you better be willing to share your own information WITH documentation in a logical manner.

All genealogy you share with others (via US mail or e-mail) should include the name of the original author. If you compiled your
ancestry from sources other than your own first-hand research you need to indicate very specifically in your genealogy. Never cross out the name of the originator and add your own name to other
people's genealogy. This is misleading and the person receiving the information cannot go back to the original author to make inquiries.

On the internet: If you find personal websites others have compiled with some of your ancestral lines and information, drop a note
to the author indicating you have been there and collected data. Bridle your inclination to cut and paste information from such websites without telling the author what you are doing. The author
deserves to be notified AND to be sourced in your genealogy program. To not notify the person, and to add your name as the source is a breach of good genealogy research practice, as well as a breach
of ethics and copyright. If you merge a massive amount of information from someone's work via a gedcom file or in hard copy, you must ask before you turn that gedcom file into a web site of your own.
If you fail to do so and you are discovered, you could pay dearly.

Just because you are excited about your research, don't expect others to pick up your gauntlet and willfully join you. They have
their own direction and focus. When walking into a genealogy library, archive, or family history center, no volunteer or employee wants, or is interested in, your entire family tree. Learn to
summarize your request in a few lines such as, "My grandfather disappeared after the 1850 census in North Carolina. What is the quickest way to find where he moved?" (Answer: Use the 1860 scanned
online census images at your local FHC made available through Ancestry.com. You search alphabetically throughout the entire country. Make sure you search by using variant spellings and choose
"Soundex" as a search parameter).

It's best not to ask for "everything you have" when requesting genealogy. Remember that experienced researchers have been in the
trenches for years, paying their dues film by film, document by document, census line by census line, dollar by dollar. For you to assume you have the right to ask and receive an entire collection is
presumptuous. If you build up a relationship of trust and joint-sharing, you most likely will inherit a hefty bounty.--1996 - D.S., LAFHC

Many books published in the past are so lacking in basic documentation that they are harmful to persons pursuing their
genealogy.

Do you have a tendency to copy anything out of a book or the Internet and feel because it has been printed in a book or on the
Internet that it must be fact? Then you will have big troubles!

Unless a book cites primary sources, it should NOT be used as a reference. A book should only be used as a stepping off point (a
clue) to find an ancestor. Even if the work cites references, it may not be correct and you need to recheck the references yourself. Care must be taken when using these sources, including this web
site.

Acts of faith may be admirable in religion, but genealogy should not be exalted to that status, it should remain a science and
research methods worthy of the designation. Reputable genealogists constantly revise in the light of new evidence revealed. An open mind must be kept at all times. Doubt what you read! Question it!
Look it up yourself!

How many times do you repeat what your grandmother told you as fact? Can you prove it? Stories are wonderful, but remember they are
only stories until backed up with evidence. Memories play tricks on a person, they dim over time and have a tendency to glorify facts after awhile. Label your stories as such and try to back them up
with proof.

Today, compilers of family histories who borrow from previously compiled genealogies without verifying their documentation help to
perpetuate false information that should have been revealed as such.

Beware of histories based on myth! Heed words such as "probably, I think, possibly, in all likelihood, presumably, supposedly,
perhaps, conceivably, evidently, presume, seemingly, assume, imagine, suspect, surprise," or any word that indicates the author is guessing.

Among the worst offenders in propagating dubious or undocumented genealogy were the periodicals devoted to the subject, examples:
The William and Mary Quarterly, The Virginia Magazine of History & Biography. It was not a period of verification. Family histories based on these older works should bear warning. "This
product will give you genealogical glaucoma," "contaminated source: beware of coliform bacteria." --Adapted from Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 26,
No 1, Feb 1988.

WHERE BEGINNERS CAN FIND HELP

NOTE:
The best place to get started is by taking the beginner's free classes at the Los Angeles FamilySearch Library. Here are some additional helps: